Nancy Reagan, First Lady

License type:

Rights Managed

Unique identifier:

SS2429780

Legacy Identifier:

BR6595

Description:

Nancy Davis Reagan (1921) is the widow of former United States President Ronald Reagan and was First Lady of the United States from 1981 to 1989. As Nancy Davis, she was an actress in Hollywood in the 1940s and 1950s. In 1952 she married Ronald Reagan, who was then president of the Screen Actors Guild. Nancy was the First Lady of California when her husband was Governor from 1967 to 1975. became First Lady of the United States in January 1981 following her husband's election. She was criticized early in his first term largely due to her decision to replace the White House china, despite it being paid for by private donations. Nancy restored glamor to the White House following years of lax formality, and her interest in fashion garnered much attention, as well as criticism. She championed recreational drug prevention causes by founding the "Just Say No" drug awareness campaign. She had a strong influence on her husband and played a role in a few of his personnel and diplomatic decisions.